used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
colouringnounUS /ˈkʌlərrɪŋ/
a digestible substance used to give color to food
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
the first light of day
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
glintingadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪntɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
homely-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
shapelyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpli/
having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
smacksnounUS /smæks/
plural of “smack” — a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
uncleanlyadjective
habitually unclean
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
communicated in words
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
precisely as stated
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Their brown sails had gleamed purple in the dying sunlight, and their rude outline seemed graceful and shapely as they rose and fell on the long waves.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What colouring one sees in these southern waters!" he remarked.
which person or people
From this reading Paul, who stood on the captain's bridge of his yacht, uttered a little cry of admiration as they sailed out from the shadows of the huge rock, and fell into a rude semicircle across the bay.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading "THE DAWN OF A SHORT, SWEET LIFE" The little group of fishing smacks, homely-looking and uncleanly, on close examination, presented a very different appearance from the deck of the English yacht fast nearing the harbour.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you notice the glinting light on those sails?"
